Now that I have selected my 8.4" NEC panel and IRTOUCH IR touchscreen, I am digging into the fabrication side. I have started reading the sticky threads. I will use the IR TS as my bezel but I plan to mate the bezel flush, with just a gasket seal. I don't have the touchscreen yet, just studying pictures. I plan on ordering another console piece and working on this at my leisure so my interior doesn't look like a train wreck during fab. I found the following on the HondaPartsDeals.com website (Ill. No. 10), I think this is all I need:
77250-S84-A01ZA 010 PANEL ASSY., INSTRUMENT CENTER(NH167L) $48.17
Based on the size of my LCD, I will need to relocate my climate control buttons, the fan blower control knob, and the temp. control knob. I think I can fit these into the storage area below, but I will need to find a piece of plastic to drill out. I searched through the accessories links on some of the Honda sites, but I didn't see anything that would drop in here.
I thought about using a fusion brain to control these buttons, but what if I need to cool the car to start the carputer, then I have a catch-22 and I would burn alive in the summertime
Also, when I had the car in for service, I would have to be logged in and that would be a pain...so, I will keep the real controls. I sized the controls with cardboard. Everything will fit, although I may remove the lighter plug to allow better symmetry with the rotary knobs. I will pull the Alpine head unit and use only an amp.
Questions
1. Any suggestions for the storage area backplane piece? I will search some more to see what I can find.
2. How strong is the chemical smell from fab? If I work in the garage will it seep into the house? If I seal the entry door frame with plastic, will that do the trick? The kitchen is located next to the garage and I don't want to catch an earful from the wife...
3. Does anyone know of shops that will do this for you? I saw turbocad6 mention $400 plus materials in the Perfect Bezel Thread. Is this the going rate? This is steep and pushes me in the DIY direction. Although, there would be a ******** of sanding in my future. Maybe I could contract out only the climate control piece?
4. Can you buy special keyed screws for the dash to make if difficult for a car thief to quickly disassemble the console and lift the LCD? This is similar to keyed lug nuts. I was wondering if anyone went this route.
TIA!